ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Electronics & IT
MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar addresses the G-20 Development Working Group side event, highlights the importance of data for development
Indian will soon start to assemble large forms of anonymized datasets, collected and harmonised under the Data Governance Framework policy: Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar
We must view the Digital Economy through a combined prism of trust & protection: Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar
The Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that the Government of India will soon start collecting uniform and harmonised anonymized data sets under the National Data Governance Framework Policy.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar virtually addressing G-20 Development Working Group
The Minister was addressing the conference of the working group related to development work under the G-20 Summit held in Mumbai today through a video conference. The conference was organised on the theme of Data for Development. This is the first official side meeting of the G-20 Development Working Group after India assumed the presidency of the G-20.
He said that India has a vibrant start-up ecosystem and a robust Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. So, we expect companies to increasingly use this large database to train their AI models. "We aim to spur innovation and create more effective policy and pragmatic solutions," he said.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of digital data and data driven interventions for adaptive growth. Highlighting the need to put essential safeguards against misuse of data and putting in place a framework for this purpose, the Minister added, “We must view the Digital Economy through a combined prism of trust & protection. We must work together to build a new international framework for technology, digital internet, and indeed data that mainstream the public good and Sustainable Development”.
He further added that the use of datasets through innovative technology will have a far-reaching impact and will benefit development work at the grassroot level and expand digitization.
He said that for long-term development, developed and developing Nations need to work together. It is critical that we find the right balance between Data sovereignty and protection on one hand, and the notion of a Data Commons that could benefit the global community.
Ministry of Culture
BUST OF PANDIT ISWARCHANDRA VIDYASAGAR UNVEILED AT THE ASIATIC SOCIETY
Kolkata, September 25, 2019
A bust of Pandit Iswarchandra Vidyasagar was unveiled and an exhibition entitled Iswarchandra Vidyasagar as Printer and Publisher was inaugurated at Vidyasagar Hall of the Asiatic Society in Kolkata today.
Professor Sukanta Chaudhuri, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Jadavpur University delivered a lecture on Iswarchandra Vidyasagar’s Contribution to Scholarship, Society and Culture.In his address, Professor Chaudhuri said that Pandit Iswarchandra Vidyasagar was a well-known writer, philosopher and a staunch supporter of the humanity. Revered by the British authorities of his time, Vidyasagar brought about a revolution in the Bengali education system and refined the way Bengali language was written and taught. Vidyasagar is credited for championing the cause of education, especially for girls, he added and informed that Vidyasagar founded several schools for girls in the early 19th century. He strongly believed that everyone, irrespective of their caste or gender, had the right to education and so he opened up the premises of the Sanskrit College for people from lower castes.
Pandit Iswarchandra also reconstructed the Bengali alphabet and reformed Bengali typography into an alphabet of 12 vowels and 40 consonants.He authored many books which greatly helped the Bengali education system.
Professor Isha Mahammad, president of the Asiatic Society and Shri S.B. Chakrabarti, General Secretary, the Asiatic Society among others were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Procurement at MSP
Government extends price support to wheat and paddy through FCI and State Agencies. Under this scheme, registration of the farmers are done through online portal and whatever foodgrains are offered by such registered farmers, within the stipulated procurement period and which conforms to the prescribed quality specifications, are purchased at MSP by the Government agencies including FCI. The Government agencies undertake MSP operation at Agriculture Produce Market Committees / temporary purchase centres/aggregation points. Location and number of purchase centres are opened in consultation with /by the State governments.
Procurement of pulses at MSP are also done under Price Support Scheme  of PM-AASHA based on the request of the concerned State government. The procurements under PSS are done by central nodal agencies through state designated procuring agencies directly from the farmers registered in online portal. The procurement centres are opened by the Central Nodal Agencies in consultation with the State Government considering the convenience of the farmers.
The farmers have option to sell their food grains at the Government purchase centers and if they get better terms and price in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in open market. Moreover, the overall market also responds to declaration of MSP and Government’s procurement operations which results in private procurement on or above the MSP for various notified food grains.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Revenue Deficit Grant of Rs. 9,871 crore released to 17 States
Total Revenue Deficit Grant of Rs. 1,08,581 crore released to States in the current financial year
The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, today released monthly Post Devolution Revenue Deficit  Grant of Rs. 9,871 crore to 17 States. This was the 11th instalment of the PDRD grant released to the States.
The Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grants are provided to the States under Article 275 of the Constitution. The grants are released to the States as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission to meet the gap in Revenue Accounts of the States post devolution. The Commission has recommended PDRD grants to 17 States and the same being released in equal monthly installments.
The eligibility of States to receive this grant and the quantum of grant was decided by the Commission based on the gap between assessment of revenue and expenditure of the State after taking into account the assessed devolution for the financial year 2021-22. The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended a total Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant of Rs. 1,18,452 crore to 17 States in the financial year 2021-22. So far, an amount of Rs. 1,08,581 crore  has been released to eligible States as Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant in the current financial year.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Child Beggars
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes sub-scheme - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’. This scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging. The focus of the scheme is extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, basic documentation, education, skill development, economic linkages and so on. The scheme would be implemented with the support of State/UT Governments/Local Urban Rodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations , institutions and others. Scheme provides for the use of the existing shelter homes available with the State/UT Governments and Urban local bodies for rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of Begging.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also initiated pilot projects on Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons engaged in the act of Begging in ten cities namely Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad. These pilots are being implemented in these cities by State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies and Voluntary Organizations. Several comprehensive measures including survey and identification, mobilization, basic hygiene and medical facilities, providing basic documentation, counseling, rehabilitation, education, skill development and sustainable settlement of persons engaged in begging are being undertaken under these pilots.
Further, the Department of School Education & Literacy in partnership with the States and UT Governments have taken steps to ensure that the children into begging are released and enrolled in schools to complete their elementary education.
No funds are being allotted to NGOs for rehabilitation of destitute women and children by this Ministry. However, the Ministry of Women and Child Development supports the States
/UTs either by themselves or in association with voluntary organizations for providing institutional care for destitute children covering age-appropriate education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care, counseling etc.
This information was given by The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment shri A. Narayanswamy in the Loksabha in a written reply.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Number of Birds Killed in the Recent Bird FLU
A total of 4,49,271 birds have been culled so far due to bird flu in the country during the recent bird flu outbreak, but no information regarding the quantum of losses to the poultry farm industry has been received from States/UTs. However, as per information received from the poultry industry, there has been a substantial loss in terms of death/depopulation of poultry birds as well as reduction in consumption of poultry and poultry products due to fear of spread of bird flu thereby leading to less price realization for poultry eggs and meat.
Surveillance of Avian Influenza  is carried out throughout the country. Further, the Department has deployed Central team to the states for monitoring and conducting epidemiological investigation of bird flu.
The Central Expert team that visited Kerala has recommended the following preventive measures:-
- Avoid the present infected areas for duck rearing. ii.
- Examining faecal samples from migratory birds in the affected areas in collaboration with forest department for presence of the bird flu virus. iii.
- Traders who collect eggs and birds from poultry farmsshould follow biosecurity measures strictly. iv. Engaging in mass awareness campaigns in collaboration with Panchayat/Municipality.
This Information was given by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN in Rajya Sabha Today.
APS/MG/JK
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU MEETS PRESIDENT OF COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA ON THE SIDELINES OF 17TH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS CONVENTION
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu met His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at Indore, Madhya Pradesh today  on the sidelines of 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
Welcoming President Ali, the President said that we are delighted to have him as the Chief Guest for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
The President said that even though India and Guyana are separated geographically by a large distance, both countries have many things in common, including a colonial past, and multicultural societies. Most importantly, the large Indian Diaspora acts as an enduring link of friendship between India and Guyana.
The President said that bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened over recent years. Trade between India and Guyana is also on an upward trajectory. Pointing out the recent major discoveries of oil and gas in Guyana, she said that there is immense scope of cooperation and collaboration between Guyana and India in this area. India has requisite experience and expertise across the entire oil and gas value chain.
The President said that India is keen to further strengthen its development partnership with Guyana, and India would also be happy to deepen its capacity building and training cooperation.
The President appreciated the Government of Guyana for its continued support to India’s candidature in various international bodies and to India’s priorities on global issues.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Budget for Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
In order to provide remunerative price to the farmers of notified pulses, oilseeds & copra, Government implements an umbrella scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan  consisting of Price Support Scheme , Price Deficiency Payment Scheme  and Pilot Private Procurement & Stockiest Scheme . Procurement of pulses, oilseeds & copra at MSP is done under PSS. However, States/UTs have an option to implement either PSS or PDPS with respect to particular notified oilseeds in a given procurement season for the entire State. Under PDPS, no physical procurement is done but direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling / modal price to pre- registered farmers selling oilseeds of prescribed Fair Average Quality  norms within the stipulated period in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process is made. Besides, States have the option to roll out Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme  on pilot basis in district / selected APMC of district for oilseeds.
As far as, the allocation of annual budget is concerned, it is meant for meeting up the reimbursement of losses incurred in the implementation of schemes & gets revised based on the actual requirements.
Under PSS, Government has provided Government Guarantee amounting to Rs. 40,500/- cr. for extending cash credit facilities to Central Nodal Agencies i.e. NAFED & FCI for procurement of pulses, oilseeds & copra at Minimum Support Price . Central Nodal Agencies withdraw the required funds against the Government Guarantee for making payment of MSP value to farmers and other incidental costs involved in the PSS operations.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India sustains trend of consistently declining Active Cases
Active caseload below 9 lakh for the second consecutive day
Active Cases nearly 1/8th of Total Cases
India continues to report a trend of steadily declining active cases. For the second day after the active cases dropped below the 9L mark after a month, the progressive decline continues.
India's active caseload stands at 8,83,185 today.
Presently the active cases comprise merely 12.65% of the total positive cases of the country. These are nearly 1/8th of the total cases in the country.
The total recovered cases are close to 60 Lakhs  thereby enhancing the difference with respect to the active cases.
82,753 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 73,272. The national Recovery Rate has progressed to 85.81%.
18 States/UTs have recorded Recovery Rate more than the national average.
This is the result of collaborative action by States/UTs under Centre's strategy of comprehensive testing, tracking, quick hospitalization and adherence to the Standard Treatment Protocol.
76% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs .
Maharashtra continues to contribute the maximum with more than 17,000 single day recovery.
73,272 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours.
79% of these are from 10 States and UTs. Maharashtra is still reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 12,000 cases followed by Karnataka with nearly 11,000 cases.
926 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 82% are concentrated in ten States/UTs.
More than 32% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra .
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Annual passenger traffic increased from 2.6 lakh to 33 lakh in five years under UDAN Scheme
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme - UDAN  on 21-10-2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country by making air travel affordable to the masses. So far, 425 UDAN routes have been operationalized across the country, connecting 68 UDAN airports including 2 water aerodromes & 8 heliports.
Year wise details of air passengers, who have availed the benefit of the UDAN scheme since its inception are given below:
1. 2017-18- 2,63,166
2. 2018-19- 12,40,896
3. 2019-20- 29,91,337
4. 2020-21- 14,98,066
5. 2021-22- 32,99,860
Government has approved the "Revival of unserved and underserved airports" scheme at the total cost of Rs.4500 crore for the revival and development of unserved and underserved airports of State Government, Airports Authority of India, Civil Enclaves, Central Public Sector Enterprises , Helipads and Water Aerodromes. The expenditure incurred upto 30.06.2022 under this scheme is Rs. 2610 crore.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh  in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Communications
4G, 5G and E-Band Spectrum
The Government is facilitating Indian technology companies for the development of 4G, 5G and E-Band spectrum products and solutions through various initiatives including funding, hackathon, pilots.
There are indigenous technology companies who are working on different system of 4G, 5G and E-Band network products. The Government has approved the funding for the 5G and E-Band technologies under its Digital Communication Innovation Square  scheme with defined milestones and deliverables.
In line with Atmanirbhar initiative of the Government, BSNL was directed to deploy Indian Core for 4G network. BSNL conducted a detailed Proof of Concept  of indigenous 4G technologies in its network. Indian entities viz. Tejas, C-DoT supported by M/s TCS for system integration have successfully completed majority of the standards requirements for a carrier class 4G mobile network in line with 3GPP specifications.
To promote manufacturing of Telecom and Networking products in the country, the Government has notified Production Linked Incentive  Scheme on 24.02.2021 with financial outlay of Rs. 12,195 crores over scheme period. The scheme is targeted to boost domestic manufacturing of specified telecom and networking products which includes 4G/5G products. With the objective to build a strong ecosystem for 5G, the scheme guidelines have been amended to facilitate design-led manufacturing of 5G products in the country.
The Department of Telecommunications  hosted a 5G Hackathon in developing solutions to enhance the technology adoption and create new usecases using 5G technology capabilities. DoT has selected 30 top applicants who have been connected with Telecom Service Providers for demonstration of their products/applications in the 5G trials.
The Government has also approved the funding to carry out pilots of the 4G and E-Band products in rural areas under the pilot scheme of Universal Service Obligation Funding . The pilot projects are envisaged to provide mobile coverage and extend high speed connectivity in rural areas.
The Government also funded development of an indigenous 5G testbed by prominent academic and research institutions working in the space of the technology. It can be used for testing indigenous products, anywhere in the 5G chain, and also for enabling technology proliferation for Indian entities.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Ministry of MSME, Government of India warns unscrupulous elements against cheating people in the name of Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme  Scheme
Ministry says entire process of application and fund release under PMEGP is online and free of cost
Ministry of MSME, Government of India, has alerted the general public and potential entrepreneurs against cheating in the name of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.
In a statement issued today, Ministry of MSME has informed that some instances are reported to the Ministry that potential entrepreneurs / beneficiaries are being approached by private persons or agencies offering loans under PMEGP Scheme and handing over loan sanction letters and cheating the entrepreneurs by charging money from them. Ministry has warned the unscrupulous elements against cheating general public in its name and it has been informed that the Ministry has already taken up the matter with the police authorities for proper investigation and action.
Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme  is a central sector credit linked subsidy scheme being implemented by the Ministry of MSME since 2008-09 to assist first generation entrepreneurs for setting up of micro enterprises across the country.
Under the PMEGP Scheme, the entire process of application and fund flow right from receipt of application to sanction and release of loan by banks to the applicants has been made online through only one Government portal run by Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The portal can be accessed at https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmeepeportal/pmegphome/index.jsp. The whole process is totally free of cost.
No Private Party/Agency/ Middlemen/ Franchise, etc. is engaged or authorized for promoting and sanctioning PMEGP Projects or providing any financial assistance under PMEGP scheme.
Instances of potential entrepreneurs / beneficiaries being approached by private persons or agencies offering loans under PMEGP Scheme and handing over loan sanction letters and cheating the entrepreneurs by charging money from them is totally illegal and absolutely fake. General public is therefore advised to remain cautious of such unscrupulous elements.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Don’t disseminate unverified news capable of causing panic: SC to Media
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Media, including print, electronic and social media, to maintain a strong sense of responsibility and ensure that unverified news capable of causing panic is not disseminated.
The apex court has noted that the migration of large number of labourers working in the cities was triggered by panic created by fake news that the lock down would continue for more than three months. The Court observed that it was not possible for it to overlook the menace of fake news by electronic, print or social media because the panic driven migration has caused untold suffering to those who acted on such news, causing some to lose their lives.
The Court has said in the order that it does not intend to interfere with the free discussion about the pandemic, but at the same time has directed that the Media refer to and publish the official version about the developments.
The full text of the order can be read at this URL:
https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/OM%20dt.1.4.2020%20along%20with%20Supreme%20Court%20Judgement%20copy.pdf